Northumberland youths head for the polling booths

Paul Larkin

But this time, it's the turn of young people across the county to elect their representatives for the council’s youth cabinet and youth parliament.

This year, there are five places available on the youth cabinet, an elected body of 13 to 19-year-olds representing the views of young people across Northumberland, and two deputy member places on the youth parliament.

On polling day, young people will have the chance to experience democracy and the process of voting in a life-like way. Schools across Northumberland are participating and the elections are organised and supported by the council’s youth service and democratic service.

Councillor Robert Arckless, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, said: “It’s very important to raise young people’s awareness of local democracy and also to encourage them to use their right to have a say.

“I am delighted to see that yet again this year young people have engaged in the voting process to shape the youth voice agenda.”

The results will be declared on Thursday afternoon and information will be available online soon after.